WALES might have some injury worries ahead of their biggest game for years - but Terry Yorath says Mark Hughes will be thrilled most of his men are getting first-team football.

The XI expected to start the first leg of the make-or-break Euro 2004 play-off against Russia on November 15 have all been in action for their clubs over the past three days.

There were Premiership comebacks for Southampton goalkeeper Paul Jones and Fulham defender Andy Melville at the weekend, while Birmingham midfielder Robbie Savage has made a welcome return to training after achilles trouble although was not risked in last night's clash against Charlton.

And with just 11 days to go until Wales travel to Moscow for their biggest match since Yorath's class of 1993 faltered against Romania in a World Cup qualifier, the former Wales boss said Hughes would be delighted to see his main men tasting competitive action.

"Mark will be pleased his key players are getting regular first team football in the run up to two such important games," said Yorath. "You want people who are playing at the pace of Premiership or Division One football. That's why it was good to see Paul Jones and Andy Melville playing first-team football again at the weekend. Believe me, there's a big difference between that and reserve-team games.

"Reserve-team football is not half as competitive as it was when I was playing. A lot of clubs don't pick strong second sides any more. The teams are full of young lads with a little bit of experience thrown in.

"There's no substitute for regular first-team football and the more players who are getting that before the match against Russia, the better."

Indeed, Yorath insists it is more important that Hughes' men are playing senior football than performing at their best.

"As long as players are involved in first-team games, I wouldn't say it was crucial that they were doing well for their clubs," said Yorath, now assistant manager at Third Division Huddersfield. "Mark would obviously prefer to have players who are performing well, but it's not the be all and end all.

"International football can be a good break for players to get away from the club scene and perform in front of a different set of supporters. You look forward to playing for Wales and regardless of how you're playing for your club, you step things up a gear for your country. It's always a massive boost to be picked to play international football and it's something you make the most of."

With Craig Bellamy already ruled out of the Russian double-header, defender Robert Page and midfielders Simon Davies and Mark Pembridge are the main injury concerns that remain for Hughes.

But Yorath insists the expected return of Savage will provide a huge boost to Wales' chances of avoiding defeat in Moscow.

"You're always going to miss a player with the class of Simon Davies, but Robbie Savage is a leader. It will be good to get him back because we've missed him in the last two games," said the former Swansea manager.

"It seems that if you're not Welsh, you don't appreciate Robbie. With the exception of his manager at Birmingham, I don't think he's appreciated as much as he should be.

"We need his energy and his abilities against Russia. He's someone who can get about the pitch and upset the opposition. Along with Robbie, I feel that (Robert) Earnshaw and (John) Hartson will be the key players for us against the Russians."

A decade ago Yorath's Wales side blew their chance to reach the 1994 World Cup finals with a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat against Romania at the Arms Park.

But Yorath is convinced Hughes' team can go one better and reaching the latter stages of a major competition for the first time since 1958.

"I think we can get to Portugal," he said. "As long as we ensure the tie is still alive after the first leg, I'm confident we'll get through. We've been knocking on the door so many times we've got to get through at some point. And I've got a feeling we're going to do it this time."